Restoring my faith in humanity

A few months ago, I got an email out of the blue from a woman named Diane who wrote to say she had had a letterpress in the 90’s but sold everything except a few special cuts years ago. She had discovered my blog and loved what I was up to—right down to my paper, which only another artist would notice!

She asked if I wanted the remaining cuts but didn’t mention a price, so I sent her my address and wasn’t sure what would happen. A week later, a box of preciously wrapped vintage printing plates arrived with the loveliest letter.

I’ve printed a few—starfish coasters? Yes, please!—with many more to come once Bess is up and running again. There is something so wonderful about old plates: Their heft, their patina and the crispness of the way they print. I’m so thankful that Diane decided to share them with a perfect stranger/fellow printer!